Author Archives: Jon Stow

The hard sell and me

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Jon Stow

Playing hard ball When I moved from employment to running my own businesses I did a few sales courses. The first one I was obliged to undertake as it went towards getting and accreditation with a membership organization. The technique … Continue reading →

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Do keep up!

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Jon Stow

Has your business changed in the past few years? Mine has. In fact, since I first started working in my profession as a young lad, the entire nature of what people like me do has changed beyond recognition. My first … Continue reading →

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Getting advice for free

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Jon Stow

Last time I mentioned those time-wasters who call or email on the pretext of getting a quote, or sometimes even without the pretext, just to get free information. It is so annoying. However, we can understand that not everyone wants … Continue reading →

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No time-wasters?

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Jon Stow

I do not like having my time wasted. However time-wasters are hard to avoid when they telephone to try to elicit free information or professional advice, even though they should know that free advice is not worth the paper it … Continue reading →

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Turning the business around

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Jon Stow

Sometimes business declines because there is a lack of demand for the product or service and no amount of clever marketing is ever going to increase sales. Recently I saw a feature on a news programme about a firm making … Continue reading →

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Picking good clients is like appreciating fine wine

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Jon Stow

As you know, I do like to be appreciated by my clients and do not like being seen as a commodity. I am not a wine snob. I do not know all that much about wine. However I do appreciate … Continue reading →

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Are you making up the numbers?

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Jon Stow

Just because I do not like to be seen as a commodity does not mean that I can influence the thoughts of everyone who sees my business offerings in that light. Unfortunately there will always be people, whom we may … Continue reading →

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You are allowed to make a profit

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Jon Stow

I have had my share of run-ins with very large service and utility providers, but we do have to recognise that like all businesses they need to make a profit for their owners and shareholders, and to have money to … Continue reading →

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Petty dictators

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Jon Stow

I remember when I was an employee working for a boss who was always right, even when he was wrong. There was no reasoning with him. We underlings were not allowed to have an opinion as to how things might … Continue reading →

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Small business and stress

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Jon Stow

It does not matter where it comes from. Stress is bad for you. Whether you do not organise your business so that you do not have to work all hours of the day, or whether you have family problems or … Continue reading →

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